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Calculating Machines

Direct Multiplication Calculating Machines

The first calculating machines multiplied by repeated addition. To multiple by tens, hundreds, or larger units, one shifted the carriage. From the 1870s, a few inventors proposed machines that could multiply directly – albeit by a single digit at a time. The Frenchman Léon Bollée exhibited such a machine at a world’s fair held in Paris in 1889. Not long thereafter the American George Grant and the Swiss inventor Otto Steiger invented direct multiplication machines. Steiger’s machine would sell successfully as the Millionaire in both Europe and the United States. In the 1930s, Swedish-born inventor Carl Friden introduced a calculating machine on which all of the digits of the multiplier could be entered at once. Automatic multiplication – and automatic division – came to be widely available on calculating machines in the 1950s.

In 1895, Otto Steiger, a Swiss citizen residing in Munich, obtained a U.S. patent for a calculating machine that would multiply a number by a single digit directly, with only a single turn of a crank. Earlier calculating machines required considerably more effort. Steiger’s machine was produced in Zurich by the firm of Hans W. Egli and came to be used in American government offices and businesses.

This lever-set, manually operated non-printing direct multiplication machine has a brass mechanism and a metal case with lid. The lid and the flat plates that cover the mechanism are painted black. The carriage is entirely contained within the case. Eight German silver levers are pulled forward to enter numbers. To the left of these is a crank which may be set anywhere between 0 and 9 for direct multiplication and division. To the right of the digit levers is a lever which may be set at addition, multiplication, division, or subtraction. Right of it is the operating crank.

In front of the levers is a row of eight windows that indicate the number set on the levers. This row of windows is labeled: DIVISOR. In front of this is the carriage, with two other rows of windows. The row closest to the levers (further from the front) indicates the multiplier or quotient, and the other row, the result or the dividend. The result windows are labeled: DIVIDEND. They may be set with a dividend using thumbscrews. Zeroing knobs for both these registers are on the carriage. Between the digit windows for all three registers are holes for decimal markers. A total of two decimal markers survive. Between the front two registers, at the left, is a button used to shift the carriage.

Instructions for operating the machine, and related tables, are given in English on a paper sheet on the inside of the lid. The lid also holds a brush for cleaning the machine and a safety screw. A bell rings when the sign of the result changes (as in over division). The entire machine rests on stand 1986.3114.02.

A mark in the middle front of the top of the machine reads: THE MILLIONAIRE. A metal tag on the right reads: Hans W. Egli (/) Ingenieur (/) Fabrikation von Rechenmaschinen (/) Pat. O. Steiger (/) ZURICH II.. A metal tag on the left reads: W.A. Morschhauser (/) SOLE AGENT (/) 1 Madison Avenue (/) NEW YORK CITY. The serial number, stamped under the tag on the right, reads: No 1132. A mark right of this reads: MADE IN SWITZERLAND.

This machine was part of the office furniture of the now-defunct Calumet and Hecla Copper Company in Calumet, Michigan. That firm was in business from the later 1860s to the 1940s.

Precise dating of Millionaire calculating machines is uncertain. Daniel Lewin has estimated that machines with serial number 500 date from 1900, those with serial number 1600 from 1905, and those with serial number 2800 from 1910. If this is accurate, machines with serial number in the 1100s would date from before 1905. The Spectator Company, a New York publisher of books on insurance and distributor of calculating machines advertised the Millionaire in 1903. Morschhauser is described as the distributor from at least 1905 onward, hence a rough date of 1904 for this machine.

The large heavy adding and calculating machines that began to sell widely in the early 20th century were not easy to move about. Purchasers also often bought metal stands like this one. The object is painted black and has four rubber feet. Stands for smaller machines would often have a shelf on which the operator could place related paperwork.

In the early 20th century, William A. Morschhauser of New York City became the exclusive American distributor of the Millionaire calculating machine. He placed machines at several United States government offices, including the Post Office Department. This is one example of such a machine.

The lever-set manual non-printing direct multiplication machine sits in a metal box that has a flat steel lid painted black. The top of the box (under the lid) has a brass cover plate, in two parts, that has various holes to accommodate the operating parts of the machine. A row of ten slits in the middle back of the cover plate allows for the motion of ten levers that are moved to set digits. The digits set appear in a row of windows in front of the slits.

In front of the setting mechanism is a carriage that moves within the case. It has 20 holes that record results of addition, subtraction, and multiplication problems. Thumbscrews under the result windows are used to set the divisor in division. In back, to the left of the result windows and also on the carriage, is a row of ten windows of the revolution counter.

To the left of the levers for setting numbers is the handle that is moved to set digits for direct multiplication. To the right of the levers is a knob that can be set for addition, multiplication, division or subtraction. Right of this is the operating handle. A paper table glued to the inside of the lid gives operating instructions and a set of tables for use in division. Two safety screws are to be used when the instrument is moved.

A mark stamped on the machine at the middle reads: THE MILLIONAIRE. A brass tag attached to one corner reads: Hans W. Egli (/) Ingenieur (/) Fabrikation von Rechenmaschinen (/) Pat. O. Steiger (/) ZURICH II. A mark stamped on the right corner reads: No 821. Another mark near there reads: MADE IN SWITZERLAND. A brass tag near one of the corners reads: W.A. Morschhauser (/) SOLE AGENT (/) 1 Madison Avenue, (/) NEW YORK CITY. A mark on the carriage reads: PTD MAY 7TH 1895. SEPT. 17TH 1895.

Compare MA*312818 and MA*312819.

Precise dating of Millionaire calculating machines is uncertain. Daniel Lewin has estimated that machines with serial number 500 date from 1900, those with serial number 1600, from 1905, and those with serial number 2800, from 1910. If this is accurate, a machine with a serial number in the 800s dates from 1900 to 1904. The Spectator Company, a New York publisher of books on insurance and a distributor of calculating machines, advertised the Millionaire in 1903. Morschhauser is described as the distributor from at least 1905 onward, hence a rough date of 1904 for this machine.

In 1893 the Swiss engineer Otto Steiger invented a calculating machine capable of direct multiplication. That is to say, one could enter a number, enter a digit, turn the crank, and the product would appear. The carriage shifted automatically, and one could then enter the next digit of the multiplier. Such machines had been proposed earlier by R. Verea, George S. Grant, and Leon Bollee, but were not successfully produced in large numbers until the Swiss manufacturer Hans Egli began making a machine based pm Steoger's patents called the Millionaire.

In about 1904 William A. Morschhauser (1872–1940) of New York City became the U. S. agent for Egli. Morschhauser provided this model of a Millionaire calculating machine to L. Leland Locke for exhibition at the Museums of the Peaceful Arts in New York City.

The lever-set manually operated non-printing machine has a brass mechanism for display but no metal case or lid. It is enclosed in glass, with only a partial mechanism to show the inner workings of the machine. The carriage is entirely contained within the case. One German silver lever is pulled forward to enter a digit. To the left of it are a series of toothed racks. Left of these is a crank which may be set anywhere between 0 and 9 for direct multiplication. Below the crank, the multiplication mechanism is visible. To the right of the digit lever is a lever that may be set at addition, multiplication, division, of subtraction. Right of it is the operating crank.

In front of the levers is a row of eight windows, one of which indicates the digit set up by the lever. In front of this is the carriage, with two other rows of windows. The row closest to the levers (further from the front) indicates the multiplier or quotient, the other row the result. The second register also has thumbscrews, that may be used to set a dividend. Both these registers have zeroing knobs. Holes for decimal markers between digits in the two registers on the carriage provide space for two German silver decimal markers. Between the front two registers, at the right, is a button used to shift the carriage. A bell is visible on the left.

A mark on the inside front of the machine at the base on the right reads: 809. A mark on the plate above the carriage reads: PTD MAY 7TH 1895. SEPT. 17TH 1895 [/] THIS PLATE NEVER TO BE TAKEN OFF!. A mark beneath the lever to the right of the digit lever reads: A M D S.

Precise dating of Millionaire calculating machines is uncertain. Daniel Lewin has estimated that machines with serial number 500 date from 1900, those with serial number 1600 from 1905, and those with serial number 2800 from 1910. If this is accurate, machines with serial number in the 800s would date from 1901 to 1904. The Spectator Company, a New York publisher of books on insurance and a distributor of calculating machines advertised the Millionaire in 1903. Morschhauser is described as the distributor from at least 1905 onward, hence a rough date of 1904 for this machine.

In the early 20th century, William A. Morschhauser of New York City became the exclusive American distributor of the Millionaire calculating machine. He placed machines at several United States government offices, including the Post Office Department. This is one example of these machines.

The lever-set, manual, non-printing, direct multiplication calculating machine has a brass mechanism and a metal case with lid. The lid and the flat plates that cover the mechanism are painted black. The carriage is entirely contained within the case. The ten German silver levers are pulled forward to enter numbers. To the left of these is a crank, which may be set anywhere between 0 and 9 for direct multiplication and division (this crank moves when the knob is pulled up). To the right of the digit levers is a lever that may be set at addition, multiplication, division, of subtraction. Right of it is the operating crank. In front of the levers is a row of ten windows that indicates the number set on the levers. This row of windows is labeled DIVISOR.

In front of this is the carriage, with two other rows of windows. The row closest to the levers (further from the front) indicates the multiplier or quotient, and the other row, the result or the dividend. The result windows are labeled “DIVIDEND” and may be set with a dividend using thumbscrews.

Zeroing knobs for both these registers are on the carriage. Holes for decimal markers are between digits on all three registers, along with a total of one surviving decimal marker. Between the front two registers, at the left, is a button used to shift the carriage. A paper sheet inside the lid gives instructions for operating the machine and related tables. The brush for cleaning the machine does not survive.

A mark on the top of the machine at the front reads: THE MILLIONAIRE. A metal tag to the right of this reads: Hans W. Egli (/) Ingenieur (/) Fabrikation von Rechenmaschinen (/) Pat. O. Steiger (/)ZURICH II. A metal tag on the left reads: W.A. Morschhauser (/) SOLE AGENT (/) 1 Madison Avenue (/) NEW YORK CITY. The serial number, stamped under the tag on the right front, is: No 832.

Compare MA*312818 and MA*312819.

Precise dating of Millionaire calculating machines is uncertain. Daniel Lewin has estimated that machines with serial number 500 date from 1900; those with serial number 1600, from 1905; and those with serial number 2800, from 1910. If this is accurate, machines with serial number in the 800s would date from well before 1905. The Spectator Company, a New York publisher of books on insurance and a distributor of calculating machines, advertised the Millionaire in 1903. Morschhauser is described as the distributor from at least 1905 onward, hence a rough date of 1904 for this machine.

The lever-set manual non-printing direct multiplication calculating machine has a brass mechanism and a metal case with lid. The lid and the flat plates that cover the mechanism are painted black. The carriage is entirely contained within the case. The ten German silver levers are pulled forward to set up numbers. Left of these is a crank that may be set anywhere between 0 and 9 for direct multiplication and division. Right of the digit levers is a lever that may be set at addition, multiplication, division, or subtraction. Right of it is the operating crank. In front of the levers is a row of 10 windows, which indicates the number set on the levers. These are labeled DIVISOR.

In front of the row of windows is the carriage, with two other rows of windows. The row closest to the levers (further from the front) indicates the multiplier or quotient, the other row, the result or the dividend. The result windows are labeled DIVIDEND and may be set with a dividend using thumbscrews. Zeroing knobs for both these registers are on the carriage. All three registers have holes for decimal markers between digits. One decimal marker survives.

Between the front two registers, at the left, is a button used to shift the carriage. A bell rings when the result changes sign (as in over division). Instructions for operating the machine, and related tables, are given on a paper sheet inside of the lid. A brush for cleaning the machine also is inside the lid. The stand under this machine is not part of this object. It goes with MA*333940. Dimensions don’t include it. This stand has a wooden table at the front that folds down.

Where this machine was used is unknown. It was transferred to the Smithsonian Institution from the Seattle office of the General Services Administration in 1967. The machine has serial number 837.

Precise dating of Millionaire calculating machines is uncertain. Daniel Lewin has estimated that machines from 1900 have serial number 500, those with serial number 1600 from 1905, and those with serial number 2800 from 1910. If this is accurate, machines with serial number in the 800s would date from 1901 to 1904. The Spectator Company, a New York publisher of books on insurance and distributor of calculating machines advertised the Millionaire in 1903. Morschhauser is described as the distributor from at least 1905 onward. Hence a rough date of 1904 for this machine.

This lever-set, manually operated non-printing rack and pinion calculating machine has a brass mechanism and a metal case with lid. The top of the machine and the lid are painted black. The carriage is entirely contained within the case.

Eight German silver levers are pulled forward to set up digits. To the left of these is a crank, which may be set anywhere between 0 and 9 for direct multiplication by a single digit. To the right of the digit levers is a lever which may be set at addition, multiplication, division, or subtraction. Right of it is the operating crank. In front of the levers is a row of 8 windows that indicate the number set up by the levers. This row of windows is labeled: DIVISOR.

In front of these windows is the carriage, with two other rows of windows. The row closest to the levers (further from the front) indicates the multiplier or quotient; the other row shows the result. The second register also has thumbscrews that may be used to set a dividend. It is labeled “DIVIDEND.” Both these registers have zeroing knobs. Holes for decimal markers are between digits in all three registers, but this machine has no decimal markers. Between the front two registers, at the left, is a button used to shift the carriage. A bell rings when the carriage reaches its leftmost position, when the result changes sign (as in overdivision); and when the result exceeds the capacity of the machine.

Instructions for operating the machine, and related tables, are given in a paper sheet on the inside of the lid.

A mark in the middle of the front of the machine reads: THE MILLIONAIRE. A metal tag to the right reads: Hans W. Egli (/) Ingenieur (/) Fabrikation von Rechenmaschinen (/) Pat. O. Steiger (/)ZURICH II. A metal tag to the left indicates the name and address of the U.S. agent for the machine: W.A. Morschhauser (/) SOLE AGENT (/) 1 Madison Avenue (/) NEW YORK CITY. Below this tag is the serial number: No 2432.

Daniel Lewin has estimated that Millionaire calculating machines with serial number 500 date from 1900; those with serial number 1600, from 1905; and those with serial number 2800, from 1910. A machine with serial number 2432 might reasonably date from about 1909.

This lever-set ,manually operated non-printing calculating machine has a brass mechanism and a metal case with lid. The lid and the flat plates that cover the mechanism are painted black. The carriage is entirely contained within the case. The machine carries out direct multiplication.

Ten German silver levers are pulled forward to set up numbers. A crank left of these may be set anywhere between 0 and 9 for direct multiplication and division. A lever right of the digit levers may be set at addition, multiplication, division, or subtraction. Right of it is the operating crank. A row of ten windows in front of the levers shows the number set on the levers. It is labeled DIVISOR.

In front of this is the carriage, with two other rows of windows. The row closest to the levers (further from the front) indicates the multiplier or quotient. The other row shows the result or the dividend. The result windows are labeled DIVIDEND and may be set with a dividend using thumbscrews. The carriage has zeroing knobs for both these registers. Holes for decimal markers are between the digits of all three registers. Between the front two registers, at left, is a button used to shift the carriage. A bell rings if the number in the result window changes sign (as when subtraction produces a negative number).

A paper sheet inside the lid gives instructions for operating the machine and related tables, along with a cleaning brush and key. The stand is stored separately.

A mark on the middle of the front of the machine reads: THE MILLIONAIRE. A metal tag on the right reads: Hans W. Egli (/) Ingenieur (/) Fabrikation von Rechenmaschinen (/) Pat. O. Steiger (/) ZURICH II. A metal tag on the left reads: W.A. Morschhauser (/) SOLE AGENT (/) 1 Madison Avenue (/) NEW YORK CITY. Just under this tag is stamped the serial number: No 2609. A mark on the carriage next to the result register reads: PTD MAY 7TH 1895. SEPT. 17TH 1895. Scratched in the middle of the front of the machine is the mark: FOR PARTS ONLY.

For related documentation see MA*319929.03 through MA*319929.07.

Daniel Lewin has estimated that Millionaire calculating machines with serial number 1600 date from 1905, and those with serial number 2800, from 1910. Hence the rough date of 1909 is assigned to the object.

This calculating machine was used by the physicist William F. Meggars of the United States National Bureau of Standards.

References:

P. A. Kidwell, “American Scientists and Calculating Machines: from Novelty to Commonplace,” Annals of the History of Computing, vol. 12, 1990, pp. 31–40.

This is the mechanism for a direct multiplication, lever-set, manual non-printing Millionaire calculating machine. It includes a metal base, an iron frame for the base, and part of the carriage and the mechanism for entering numbers (but only part). Also present are a component used in direct multiplication, and two cranks on their shafts. The parts of the machine are marked with different numbers. The machine has no case or lid.

Stamped on the iron frame near the right front corner is the serial number: 4154. A mark painted on the carriage reads: 27-80. The number “27-80” indicates that the machine came from the collection of New York teacher and historian of mathematics L. Leland Locke (see accession 155183 and non-accession 1983.3003). Other parts of the machine may well be in non-accession 1983.3003.

According to the estimates of Daniel Lewin, a Millionaire calculating machine with serial number 4200 was made in 1915. Hence the rough date of 1914 is assigned to this object.

This key-set electric direct multiplication, non-printing calculating machine has a brass mechanism, a metal case with lid, and color-coded plastic keys. The lid and the flat plates that cover the mechanism are painted black. The carriage is entirely within the case. The ten columns of color-coded black and white plastic keys have nine keys in each column. Painted rods between columns of keys have red, white, and black sides to indicate decimal positions.

A zero (clearance) key is left of the keyboard. Left of it is a crank which may be set between 0 and 9 for direct multiplication and division. Right of the keys is a lever which is set at addition, multiplication, division, or subtraction. Right of it is the operating crank. A row of ten windows in front of the keys shows the number set. These windows are covered with glass and labeled Divisor.

In front of the windows is the carriage, with two other rows of windows. The row closest to the keys (further from the front) indicates the multiplier or quotient, and the other row shows the result or the dividend. The result windows are labeled Dividend and may be set using thumbscrews. Zeroing knobs for both these registers are on the carriage, as well as sliding decimal markers. Between the front two registers, at the left, is a button used to shift the carriage.

Instructions for operating the machine are on a paper sheet inside the lid, along with a cleaning brush, a screw, and a key. The stand carries an electric motor, with wooden shelves on both sides.

A mark in the middle of the front of the machine reads: THE MILLIONAIRE. A metal tag to the right reads: H.W. EGLI S.A. (/) Calculating Machines (/) ZURICH (Switzerland). A metal tag to the left reads: W.A. Morschhauser (/) SOLE AGENT (/) 1 Madison Avenue (/) NEW YORK CITY. Under this tag the serial number mark reads: No 9123. Another mark on the machine reads: BS24326.

For related documentation see MA*319929.03 through MA*319929.07. Compare MA*314579.

The Millionaire with keys for entering numbers was introduced in 1913. According to Ernst Martin, the Millionaire with keys for multiplication was introduced in 1927. This example was used at the U. S. Bureau of Standards and came to be owned by the physicist William F. Meggers.